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The participants are mostly ordinary people who have an overwhelming phobia,or recurrent nightmares. The show claims that many of our phobias are rooted in our past experiences and to find the cause,the participant needs to travel back face the fear. The show’s therapist,Dr Trupti Jayin,hypnotises the participants and encourages them to go back and relive certain key episodes.

Once they’re there,she encourages them to take action and confront their nightmares.

Who’s in it? Raaz is hosted by Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishaan. The actor is known as the Amitabh Bachchan of the Bhojpuri film industry,but the comparisons should probably stop there. Unlike the Big B,Kishaan lacks the charisma and style that made the other such an instantly approachable,yet sophisticated host. The therapist,Dr Jayin,specialises in Past Life Regression Therapy. Her sometimes harsh vocal delivery can be quite annoying but there’s no doubt she’s effective and asks the right questions.

What’s hot? The revelations made on the show certainly sound plausible. The first contestant,Smita Singh’s crippling fear of flying was revealed to be the result of a plane crash which had ended her last life. All the details of that past life — name,profession,hometown were verified by the show’s research team. Also,the plane crash turned out to be the 1966 crash of an Air India flight in the Alps,which had killed Dr Homi J. Bhabha as well.

But what’s most interesting is the scope the show has for generating debate. Is there really such a thing as past life? Does it mean that the Oriental view of existence as a cycle of life and death is valid? Do souls and consequently,ghosts,really exist? Addressing these questions would probably make the show more remarkable,but we’re guessing these issues are outside its ambit of interest.

What’s not? Host Kishaan informs the viewers and the participants that all revelations made on the show were tested and verified by their research team. But there is no overt proof given of that fact to the audience. What really irritates are the sepia-tinted flashbacks that accompany every new revelation. While it adds some visual relief to a scene which would otherwise just include the therapist and the participant,it could’ve been better produced and with better actors.

Should you be watching it? Definitely. It challenges one’s belief system and forces one to think anew about life and death.

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